Local Selling Tips
Step 1: CALL CENTURY 21 REALTY TEAM!
Chosing the right real estate company and Realtor to help you sell your home is extremely important. You want to ensure you have an agent that is there to look out for your best interests. Having representation while selling can help guarantee that not only do you receive the most for your property, but that all the correct steps are taken so you have a seemless transaction. Let our experience, dedication and negotiating skills be put to work for you!
Create a Marketing Plan
Much of an agent’s work is quiet, behind the scenes – and important. Promoting your home involves several outreach efforts, including scheduling, marketing and hosting open houses, following up with open house visitors, having conversations with ad respondents, and posting photos and virtual tours on the web. Being your guide and confidant is part of the process as well.
Selling can entail a variety of marketing strategies, and I will develop a plan especially for your home, which will help set it apart in your local marketplace and attract buyers. Once listed, the property is entered into the local Multiple Listing Service (MLS), displayed on century21.com and distributed to over 500 national and local real estate websites, where most buyers begin their search for a new home.
TIP: A marketing plan will help sell a home at the best price possible in the shortest amount of time. Call any of our agents tdoay at 402-564-1333
for your free Market Analysis.
Setting the Right Price for Your Home
A key part of your marketing plan is setting the list price. Quite simply, if a home is priced too low, you miss out on potential profit. If a home is priced too high, qualified buyers will look elsewhere.
To determine the best asking price, review the prices of recently sold, comparable homes in the area; evaluate the competition, and study marketplace trends. I have ready access to this information, and can provide the big picture to help you determine the right asking price.
It is also helpful to discuss other terms and conditions that can be included in the sale of the home to make it more attractive to potential buyers. For example, an owner can offer to pay points or complete a major repair – such as a new roof – to make the deal more appealing to a qualified buyer.
Other factors to consider:
- If your house is located in a desirable area you will be able to get a higher price than you can for the same house in a less desirable area.
- Real estate is local. Our experienced agents can explain current market factors in your community, including what's selling, what isn't selling, and why. This information is critical to setting an optimal price and terms.
- If a house has amenities that are currently popular in the marketplace, it will bring a higher price. I can help identify top trends.
- A house that has been better maintained and “shows” better will always sell for more than one that has had deferred (neglected) maintenance and needs work.
- Buyers expect everything to work. It’s an important trust factor, and worth the time and expense to make basic repairs.
- Markets differ by location and time. When interest rates are low and the local job base is growing, it's great to be a seller. But when times are slack and mortgage rates are rising, homes also sell. The trick is to be realistic, to get as much as market conditions will allow.
Showing Your Home
You want potential buyers to feel at home from the minute they walk up the driveway. Give them a canvas to fill. It’s showtime!
Start with a good cleaning, eliminate clutter, put away the knickknacks and add fresh coats of a neutral-colored paint to brighten rooms. Oh, and tidy up the yard. I can give you all sorts of tips to help boost your home's curb appeal and impress potential buyers once they're inside. Here are a few basics:
- If the weather permits, open the windows (if there is too much noise outside, close them). If it's cold enough to wear a sweater to stay warm, turn on the heat. You want the temperature inside to be comfortable and to give the buyer more of a reason to linger, especially on hot or cold days!
- Light a fire in the fireplace, have chocolate chip cookies baking in the oven, or use lightly scented aromatherapy – such as lavender – to set the scene for a tranquil home.
- Open all the window coverings to let in light. If a particular window overlooks undesirable scenery or obstructed views, keep the blinds partially closed.
- Turn on every light in the house, including appliance lights and closet lights. Brighten dark rooms with few windows by placing spotlights on the floor behind furniture.
- Play soft background music.
Move your cars to an alternate location, and allow your real estate agent to conduct the tour: potential buyers usually feel more comfortable – and less pressured – when the owners are not present.
Negotiating An Offer
Successful negotiating encompasses the acquired ability to use certain skills and techniques to bring about coveted win-win results. I will help you stay focused, objective, and not let your emotions rule.
- Start with a thoroughly researched, fair price.
- Respect the other side's priorities. For example, a buyer with an urgent move-in date might be willing to pay a higher portion of the transaction costs or forgo some major repairs. Or, they may prefer to push out the closing date, in order to be more confident that there will be no unanticipated additional expenses.
- In any case, be prepared to compromise: "win-win" doesn't mean both the buyer and the seller will get everything they want. It means both sides will win some and give some
TIP: Become familiar with a typical real estate purchase and sale contract in advance of any negotiation.
